JOE DIMAGGIO

Joe DiMaggio's photographs embrace the elements of a powerful symphony. Here are choruses and chords of color. We perceive a rhythmic movement in objects that may seem stationary in the three-dimensional world that the rest of us inhabit. Vibrant hues begin to blur and invisible lines direct our gaze toward a sacred center where the subject of the photograph vibrates with spiritual intensity. DiMaggio propels us through new perceptual portals. Passive viewing is not possible. Inspired, at first, by a grandfather with ample talent as an amateur photographer, DiMaggio developed under the influences of other shooters like W. Gene Smith, Alfred Eisenstadt and Mark Kaufman. He looks to the likes of DaVinci, Michelangelo, Monet and Picasso as muses (or, as he puts it, Gods). If it seems like I'm all over the place, I am, says DiMaggio. These giants served up kindling for his creative flame. He renders images that are uniquely and distinctively DiMaggio's own. Also evident in DiMaggio's work is a robust spiritual undertow. Because of my relationship with Mother Nature and all of God's creatures, he says, I never think of a man, woman or child as a subject. I think of them as beautiful creations. In DiMaggio's view, he is merely the instrument to record their space in time at that particular moment. It started in the woods. DiMaggio, while never defining himself as a nature photographer, tends to dwell among the trees for a goodly portion of each day, and that is where he first found magic in the details of the scenery. Soon, though, DiMaggio expanded his imagination. He discovered hitherto unseen luminosity in cityscapes, on sports fields, at racetracks. He made light viscous and emotionally meaningful. To DiMaggio, every scene is significant. DiMaggio's work over three decades has been featured in publications like Time, Life, Sports Illustrated, U.S. News and World Report and hundreds more. In 1981, his Sports Illustrated cover of Cooney vs Holmes was named Best Picture of the Year by Time Magazine. His talent earned him a coveted invitation to join the International Olympic Games Pool. His gift for advertising photography has netted him a list of Fortune 500 clients and prestigious advertising agencies. DiMaggio's talent as a teacher has gained him a national reputation. He's been featured on ABC-TV's World of Photography and has hosted episodes of ESPN's Canon Photo Safari with celebrity guests and amateur photographers William Shatner and A.J. Langer. He has lectured to thousands of aspiring photographers in workshops around the world. He is a contributing editor of the internationally published Times Journal of Photography and a lecturer for the American Photo/Popular Photography Mentor Workshops. He has taught at additional workshops in Palm Beach and the Maine Photographic Workshop. Equally at ease with pictures that move, DiMaggio has directed a number of commercials and short films. He recently completed directing a one-hour documentary which aired on Discovery Channel's Shark Week 2005. As he ages, DiMaggio's talent matures along with his heart. For me the camera represents my soul, he says. It is a part of me and what I believe in. The amazing part of the process is that it's constantly changing and evolving. It's never the same twice. To contact please e-mail dylan@dimaggio-kalish.com When I was 20 years old, I realized there were only a few great photographers, and of course, I knew I was one of them. Today I realize there are myriads of great photographers out there. Some of them are highly stylized and specialized. What I offer my clients is an absolute dedication, work ethic, and passion that’s difficult to match. I thrive on pressure. I’ve been told I specialize in diversity. I bring an absolute commitment to my art form and I think that separates me from the others. Joe DiMaggio